Coupler carrier



March 5, 1935. D. s. BARROWS COUPLER CARRIER Filed Feb. 15, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 5, 1935. D. s. BARROWS COUPLER CARRIER Filed Feb. 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 5, 1935 COUPLER CARRIER Donald S. Barrows, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, New corporation of Maryland York, N. Y., a

Application February-13, 1931, Serial No. 515,516

14 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my application on Coupler carriers, Serial No. 483,067,

flied September 19, 1930.

This invention relates t o coupler carriers, and

more particularly to swing carriers associated with striking castings for resiliently supporting associated couplers or dra wbars.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a swing carrier for coupiers which supports said couplers at a desired elevation during normal operation, but which permits downward swinging of said couplers when an additional vertical live load is applied,.as would be the case when two coupled cars are pulled over a track elevation.

Another object of 'my invention is to provide a combined .striking castingv and coupler carrier member suitable for use with a standard or fullsize swivel butt coupler, or siderably larger or deeper one having a butt conthan the stem, and for mined live load.

A further object of my invention is to provide a spring supported swing carrier permitting downward angling of an associated coupler, said carrier being supported at its ends by links associated with resilient means, which links, if desired, may be replaced by plain swing links, permitting only lateral swinging of the supported coupler or drawbar.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and constructions of the various parts will become apparcut as the description-proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:--

Figure 1 is a front elevational view, partly in vertical section, of a comb ined casting and spring supported swing carrier illustrating one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the casting and swing tional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the supporting links.

Fig. 5 is a perspective per spring followers. D

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the lower spring followers showing particularly the top face thereof.

Fig. "I is a perspective view, similar to Fig. 6, showing particularly the bottom face of one of the lower followers.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower follower key.

9 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing a ;modii'lcation.

Fig. 10 is a fragmen ry view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing another modification.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of the bottom of one of the hangers or supporting links I employed in the embodiment of Figure 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of the bottom of such a hanger looking in a direction at right angles to that of Figure 11.

Fig. 13 is a plan of the lower spring washer or retainer employed in the embodiment of Figure 10.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on the line 14-14 of Figure 13, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the washer shown in Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characteraand first considering the embodiment .of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, there is illustrated a framing member or combined casting -1 preferably formed with a hollow top, coupler striking or stop portion 2, a. hollow sill tie portion 40 3, and normally vertical hollow side or connectv ing portions 4. The sill tie member is preferably disposed a suificient distance below the strikin casting and the side members are sufllciently spaced so that an aperture 5 therebetween is pro- 4 vided for the reception of an associated-coupler stem, shank, or drawbar 6, diagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines, normally spaced a definite distance below the coupler striking portion 2, even though said coupler or drawbar may have an enlarged or'swivel butt portion permitting horizontal angling thereof.

Associated with the casting 1 is a coupler carrier or cushioning and centering device generally represented by the reference-character '1, which view of one of the up- 5 device not only permits lateral swinging of the coupler, but also downward angling thereof upon the application of suflicient vertical live load thereto. The centering device in the present embodiment comprises a carrier block 8 preferably formed with an upper flange orweb 9, forming a coupler supporting portion or element directly supporting the drawbar or coupler stem 6, and preferably vertical reinforcing webs 10 extending downwardly therefrom for rigidifying the construction. Shoulder portions 11 are desirably provided at either end of the web or flange 9 for maintaining the coupler stem 6 in proper position with respect to the block 8.

The block 8 is, in the present embodiment, supported from the casting 1 or side portions 4 thereof by means of a pair of links 12, desirably housed in said side portions, the upper ends of said links preferably extending to form a ,T and provide trunnions 13 normally mounted in corresponding bearing portions 14 in the side portions 4 of the combined casting 1. The lower end of each link is desirably constructed to support a pre-compressed spring device which, in turn, supports the corresponding end of the carrier block 8, which extends into a side portion 4. For this purpose, each link desirably has a slot 15 adapted to receive a key 16 for looking a lower spring follower 17 in position and thereby holding an associated encircling spring 18 under a desired initial compression against an associated upper follower 19 which, in turn, is stopped against corresponding lugs 20' on the swing link 12.

It willbe understood that the spring may be assembled between the followers 17 and 19 in any desired manner, as by first applying the upper follower 19 over the link 12, applying or threading the spring 18 on the link until it engages said follower, applying the lower follower 19 to the link, and compressing the spring by applying force to said lower follower until the slot 15 is entirely uncovered, whereby the key 18 may be applied, as shown in Fig. 1, and the spring released. The ends of the key 18, it will be seen, fit in notches or pockets 21 in the lower follower 1'1, so that loss is ordinarily prevented. v

In order to permit the requisite angling between the ends of the carrier block 8 and the swing links 12, said carrier block is desirably bifurcated at its ends, and each prong or bifurcated portion of each end is formed with a concave bearing portion 22 normally fitting corresponding trunnion or convex bearing portions 23 on the tops of the upper followers 19. The trunnion portions 23,

well as the trunnion portions 13 on the links, are' desirably formed frusto-conic'al or tapered, as-illustrated, so that the parts are normally centered, thereby obviating wear between the sides of the links and the associated parts.

The sides 4 of the combined casting 1 are de-' sirably formed sufhciently hollow to .permit the application of the carrier block and its associated links and resilient means and the sill tie portion 3,

which comprises upper, lower and side webs, has

' and the link proper disposed between the in-- the upper web shortened or cut away at the ends, as shown in Fig. 1 to leave openings in the top of said sill tie portion to receive the lower ends of the links 12 and allow the desired swinging thereof. Upon reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that one of the links may be applied by fitting it sidewise with the trunnions 13 received in the bearings 14,

wardly extending enlargements or lug portions 24 and 25 on the sides4 of the casting. After the link and its. associated assembled and pr e-compressed spring device has been applied, for example, to the right-hand side of the casting 1, as shown in Fig. 1, the carrier block 8 may be applied from the left, so that the right-hand prongs straddle the link 12 with the bearing portions 22 in engagement with the trunnion portions 23 on the upper follower 19, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. When this assembly has been accomplished, which, of course, is done after the coupler stem or drawbar 6 is in position, the left-hand link and pre-compressed spring unit are assembled with the left-hand prongs on the carrier 8, after which the trunnions 13 on the upper end of the left-hand link may be moved to a position in the corresponding bearing portions in the casting 1. From a consideration of Fig. 1, it will be seen that the left side of the casting is designed sufllciently different from the right side so that after assembly the left link may be swung into engagement with the corresponding bearings, after which it may be locked in place by means of a retainer plate or the like 26 secured to the outer web 2'7 of the casting in any desired manner, as by means of a rivet 28.

From a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the dependingflanges or webs 10 extend outwardly to embrace the adjacent portions of the upper followers 19 therebetween, and the extensions of the carrier block web 8 overlying the trunnions 23 are reinforced by upstanding flanges 30 and 31. It will be seen that the outer flange 30 extends to a greater height than the inner flange 31, thereby providing the requisite height for the coupler guiding portions 11, the outer lugs 24 being correspondingly notched, as indicated at 32. The inner flange 31 is of reduced height, as shown most clearlyin Fig. 2, thereby obviating notching the inner ing 25 to the same extent as the outer lug 24, and corr sp ndingly maintaining the strength of thei:asting atthe right-hand side of the casting, for example, as

shown at the right-hand ,side of Fig. 1, so that the associated link 12, after assembly with the spring device and carrier. block, may not be moved to position without further compression of the spring. In moving the link 12' to position after assembly, it will be understood that pre-compression of said spring for the purpose may be secured by inserting a crow-bar or the like beneath the lower end of the link until the trunnions 18' on said link have been raised suificiently to clear the lip 29 at the outer edge of the bearing portion 14, permitting the trunnions 13 to be moved to normal position in said bearing portions. By using the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, it will be understood that the use of the retaining device 26 is obviated, as the trunnions 13 cannot be displaced from the bearings 14 without further compressing the associated spring of the corresponding spring device on the link 12'.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustratedin- Figures 10 to 15, inclusive, a construction is there disclosed which avoids the ty for a separate. double gibbed key. In

this embodiment, the combined casting or framing member 1 has associated therewith a coupler carrier device 7* which, as in the previousv embodiment, not only permits lateral swinging of the coupler, but also downward angling thereof upon the application of a suflicient vertical load. The centering device of the present embodiment comprises a carrier block 8" adapted to directly support the associated drawbar or coupler stem and formed as in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8, inclusive. The block 8 is supported from the casting 1 or side portions 4 thereof by means of a pair of links or hangers 12, the upper ends of which preferably extend to form a T and provide trunnions l3 normally mounted in corresponding bearing portions 14 in the side portions 4 of the casting l The lower end of each link 12 is desirably constructed to support a pre-compressed spring device which, in turn, supports the corresponding end of the carrier block 8. For this purpose, each link desirably has its lower end notched, as -indicated at 34, leaving a pair of lugs 35 therebelow for interlocking with a lower spring follower or washer 1'7 and holding it in position to thereby hold an associated spring 18" under'a desiredinitial compression against an associated upper .follower 19 which, in .turn, is stopped against corresponding lugs 20'? on the swing link or hanger 12. p

In order to provide for the interlocking of the lowerspring washer 1'7 with its associated link or hanger 12 each washer is'desirably provided with an aperture or slot 36 adapted to receive the notched portion 34 of the link 12 and provided with lateral extensions 3.'7 adapted to receive the lugs 35 on said link when the washer 17* is positioned so that the slot 36 and the extensions 37 register with said lugs 35. In order to assemble the parts, the upper follower 19 may first be applied over the associated link 12, the spring 18% threaded on the link until it engages said follower, and the lower follower or spring washer 17* applied to the link 12*,and the spring compressed until the lugs 35 extend below-the lower surface of the washer 1'!" when said washer may beturned through 90 about the axis of the link 12 allowing the lugs 35 to seatin corresponding notches 38 in the lower face of the washer '17, whereby said washer. and link are interlocked and the spring 18 held under a predetermined amount of compression, as desired. Except as specifically described in connection with the presentembodiment, the same may correspond with that of the first embodiment, except that the lower web 39 of the sill tie portion 3 of the casting I may extend further laterally, as. illustrated, as it is not necessary to cut so much of said web away, as in the first embodiment, because in the present embodiment, the length of. the-links. or hangers 12,

are decreased by virtue of the modified construc- -tion, and the avoidance of the necessity of using eflicient type of swing link which carries a helical spring desirably under a sufficient initial .com-

pression to support the weight of the coupler and resist movement thereof under normal condi-' tions, but permitting downward swinging of the coupler head upon the application of a predetermined live load. If for any reason it is desired" to have the coupler support-ed without any provision for downward movement thereof, plain links can be substituted for those shown having the spring cushioned ends. I By positioning the links obliquely or at an angle to one another, instead of parallel, a greater centering action is obtained, at the same time avoiding a swinging which would carry a link outwardly beyond the protecting walls of its hollow supporting side. The yielding means avoids any substantial twisting action .on the coupler by allowing the carrier to adjust itself on the links by differential compression of the springs.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated, it will beunderstood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. a

tions being connected by a sill tie portion having upper, lower and side webs, said upper web being cut away at the ends to leave openings in the top ofsaid sill tie portion to'receive the lower ends of said links and allow for the desired swinging thereof.

2. A combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a stop for an associated coupler, side portions depending from said upper portion, said side portions beingformed with bearings from which links are adapted to swing, said side portions being connected by a sill tie portion disposed below said upper portion and comprising upright webs between which the lower portions of said links are adapted to swing, said sill tie portion involving a lower web substantially closing the space between said upright webs and a strengthening web connecting the top portions of said upright webs and discontinued short of the side portions to leaveopenings in the top of said sill tie portion to receive the lower ends of said links and allow for the desired swinging thereof.

3. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted-to function as.

a stop for an associated coupler, side portions depending from saidupperportion, said side portions eachcomprising spaced webs, each of which is fo med with a bearing, a pair of links each of which has trunnions adjacent the upper ends thereof, said trunnions being received one in each of said bearings, whereby said links are adapted to swing between said webs, thelower ends of said side portion webs being connected by sill tie por-' tion webs receiving the lower-end portions .of said linksthercbetween, said lower ends being slotted,

keys passing through said slots, springs supported by means of said keys, anda carrier blook resiliently supported by means of said springs and disposed above said sill tie portion.

'4. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a stop for an associated coupler, side portions depending from said upper'portion, said side portions being formed with bearings, a pair of swing hangers with integral trunnions at their upper ends mounted in said bearings the intermediate portionsof said hangers beingprovided with integral lugs forming stops, followers slidable on said hangers and normally in engagement with said stops, springs surrounding said hangers below said followers, lower followers slidable on.

said hangers and disposed below said springs, said hangers having integral lugs holding said lower followers in position, said lower followers having slots adapted to permit disengagement from said lugs when turned about the axes of said hangers, the lower ends of said casting'side portions being connected by a sill tie portion formed hollow to receive and protect the lower ends of said hangers and associated lower followers, the upper wall of said sill tie portion being omitted adjacent the ends to provide for swinging of said hangers, and a coupler carrier with its ends supported on said first-mentioned followers and disposed above said sill tie portion.

5. A cushioning and centering device for a railway vehicle comprising a supporting member adapted to be secured to said vehicle, a carrier, links swingingly suspending said carrier from the supporting member, said links being non-parallel to each other, said carrier involving a coupler supporting portion and yielding means associated with said carrier, whereby when the coupler moves laterally one side of the yielding means is compressed so that the coupler shank remains in a substantially horizontal plane.

6. A cushioning and centering device for a railway vehiclecoupler comprising a supp fiing member adapted to be secured to said vehicle, a carrier, non-parallel links swingingly suspending the carrier from the supporting member, said carrier including a coupler supporting element, yielding means associated with said-carrier for allowing the coupler to move vertically below its normal position, and retaining means for said yielding means, said yielding means being'compressi- -ble more to one side or the other of the device, depending on the side to which the carrier has swung from central position, so that said coupler need not be twisted.

.7. In combination with a supporting member adapted to be secured to a railway vehicle and provided with an opening, defined by hollow top, bottom and side portions, adapted to receive the stem of an associated coupler, a cushioning and centering device for said couplercomprising a carrier adapted to support an associated coupler and disposed entirely above the bottom portion of said supporting member, with its ends housed in the hollow side portions of said supporting member, non-parallel links housed in said side portions and suspending the end portions of said carrier therefrom, and means associated with said carrier. for yieldingly supporting said coupler, said yieldingly supporting means comprising resilient elements at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the supporting member and adapted to be differentially compressed to avoid undue twisting of the coupler.

8. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a striking casting, side portions depending from said upper portion, said side portions having bearings, a sill tie portion connecting the lower ends of said side portions and defining an opening adapted to receive the stem of an associated coupler having an enlarged butt,'a pair of swing hangers with trlmnions at their upper ends mounted in said bearings, followers slidable on said hangers, a coupler carrier with bifurcated ends straddling said hangers and movably supported on said followers, intermediate portions of said hangers being provided with integral lugs, springs encircling said hangers below said followers and held under initial compression suilicient to cause the followers to normally engage said lugs, said lugs being so positioned that they function to stop upward movement of said followers at positions where the carrier is at the proper height for maintaining the associated coupler at the normal elevation, while allowing it to swing downwardly against the action of the springs, upon the application of a predetermined live load.

9. A combined striking casting and coupler carrier comprising an upper'portion having at each end a pair of spaced downwardly extending webs, each pair of said webs having oppositely faced enlargements having upper surfaces forming trimnion seats, downwardly extending links positioned between said webs and having trunnions engaging the seats on said webs, a carrier block supported by said links through resilient means engaged therewith, and a coupler shank supported by said block and normallyspaced a definite distance below said upper portion, said enlargements extending downwardly to a point acLiacent said carrier block when in normal position and spaced a distance thereabove substantially less than the distance between said coupler shank and said upper portion.

10. In a coupler carrier, a pair of links, each of which has trunnions outstanding from the upper end portion thereof for swingingly mountthe lower end portions of said links being slotted, a key passing through the slot in each link, a lower spring cap supported on each key and encircling the associated link, a spring mounted on each cap and encircling the associated link, an upper spring cap slidable on each link and resiliently supported by means of the associated spring, each upper spring cap having an integral trunnion having curved bearing surfaces on opposite sides of the associated link, and a carrier block with bifurcated end portions straddling said links, the lower sides of said bifurcated portions being formed with bearings engaging said bearing surfaces on said trunnions on said upper spring caps, whereby said block is supported, while allowing for the desired downward restrained movement and lateral swinging thereof.

11. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a stop for an associated coupler, side portions depending'from said upper portion and each comprising spaced webs, each of which is formed with a bearing, a pair of links each of which has trunnions outstanding from the upper portion thereof, said trunnions being received one in each of said bearings, whereby said links are adapted to swing between said webs, the lower ends of said side portion webs being connected by sill tie portion webs receiving the lower portions of said links therebetween, the upper and lower portions of said sill tie portion webs being connected by upper and lower webs, said upper web terminating short of the lower web so as to leave openings in the top of the sill tie portion to receive the lower ends of said links and allow for the desired swinging thereof, said lower end portions of said links being slotted, keys passing through said slots, springs supported by means of said keys and encircling said links, an upper follower on each link resiliently supported -by means of the associated spring, each follower having integral trunnion portions on opposite sides of the associated link, and a carrier block with bifurcated end portions straddling said links, the lower sides of said bifurcated portions being formed with bearings engaging said trunnions on'said followers, said carrier block being thereby supported at such an elevation that it lies above the upper web of the .sill tie portion with suflicient clearance for allowing the desired downward restrained movement thereof, leaving said springs and the lower portions of the links housed in said casting and thereby protected from injury.

12. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a stop for an associated coupler, said upper portion having at each end a pair of spaced downwardly extending webs, links positioned between said webs and pivotally connected thereto, a carrier block supported by said links through resilient means engaged therewith, and a coupler having a shank supported by said block, said webs having enlargements extending downwardly to a point adjacent said carrier block when in normal position, the lower surfaces of said enlargements being spaced a distance above said block a distance substantially less than the distance between the upper surface of the coupler shank and a the lower surface of said casting upper portion.

13. In a coupler carrier, a pair of links, means for pivotally mounting the upper end portions thereof, a lower spring cap supported on each link near the lower end thereof, a spring mounted on each cap and held in position by the associated link, an upper spring. cap resiliently supported by means of the associated spring, each upper spring cap having curved bearing surfaces, and a carrier block with bifurcated end portions straddling said links, the lower sides of. said bifurcated portions being formed with bearings en agin said bearing surfaces on said upper openings in the spring caps, whereby said block is supported, while allowing for the desired downward restrained movement and lateral swinging thereof.

14. In combination, a combined casting comprising an upper portion adapted to function as a stop for an associated coupler, pending from said upper portion and each comprising spaced webs, a pair of links, the upper end portion of tween the spaced webs at one side, and that of the other being pivotally mounted between the spaced webs at the other side, whereby said links are adapted to swing between said webs, the lower ends of-said side portion webs being connected by sill tie portion webs receiving the lower portions of said links therebetween, the upper and lower portions of said sill tie portion webs being connected by upper and lower webs, said upper web terminating short of the lower web so as to leave top of the sill tie portion to receive the lower ends of said links and allow for the desired swinging thereof, springs supported on the lower end portions of said links, an upper follower on each link resiliently supported by means of the associated spring, each follower having integral trunnion portions on opposite sides of the associated link, and a carrier block with bifurcated end portions straddling said links, the lower sides of said bifurcated portions being formed with bearings engaging said trunnions on said followers, and said springs and the-lower portions of the links being housed in said casting and thereby protected from injury.

. DONALD S. BARROWS.

side portions de-' one being pivotally mounted be- 

